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Drew Pearson will be the next player inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, is the rumor floating around Cowboy Nation.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, citing an anonymous source, reported Saturday that Pearson is the one. And last fall, Roger Staubach told a Dallas TV station that Pearson would be the next player added to the list.

The Ring of Honor has 15 players in it, plus Tom Landry and Tex Schramm. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is the sole decision-maker and hasn’t added anyone since Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin went in during the 2005 season.

Jones said Saturday that he intends to add a player to the team’s Ring of Honor at Cowboys Stadium this season, though he wouldn’t name the player.

“We would like to make that announcement separately, but we are; we are planning to,” Jones said.

There has been speculation for a while that Pearson would be Jones’ choice. Pearson played for the Cowboys from 1973-83 and had 489 catches for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was a three-time All-Pro and was named to the league’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

Pearson first made the No. 88 famous in Dallas, with more big catches than any other receiver in the team’s history. His Hail Mary reception in the waning moments of a 1975 playoff game against the Vikings is one of the most famous in NFL history. He also clinched a ’73 playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams with a touchdown catch, and he was on the receiving end of Clint Longley’s pass in the 1974 Thanksgiving Day comeback against the Redskins. He also had two touchdowns in a playoff victory over the Falcons in 1980. Pearson’s big catches earned him the nickname “Mr. Clutch.”

Pearson said he would welcome inclusion into the Ring of Honor.

“Every time I stepped on that Texas Stadium turf to play a game for the Dallas Cowboys, I looked up at that Ring of Honor,” he recalled. “I wanted to be the kind of player who deserved that type of recognition. It motivated me. This would be the highlight of my career.”

Deion Sanders’ name has been rumored also. I read that he didn’t feel comfortable about it because he only played half of his career with the Cowboys. I’m one of who those that believe that the Ring of Honor should be reserved for those that have spent their entire career or at least most of it as a Dallas Cowboy.

One Cowboy who is always near and dear to my heart is wide receiver Drew Pearson who is best known as the player who caught the famous “Hail Mary” pass thrown by the great Roger Staubach.

Drew Pearson, or “Mr. Clutch” as he was commonly called, didn’t start his career out as wide receiver, and in fact he replaced Hall of Famer, Joe Theismann, at quarterback, when he began his football career at South River High School.
Soon after, he attended the University of Tulsa and graduated in 1972, but not before winning the university’s President Award given each year to their best athlete.

Unfortunately, Drew was not selected in the NFL draft, mostly because he was a wide receiver in a run based offense while in college. However, that did not stop the Cowboys from signing Pearson as a free agent in 1973. They didn’t know it at the time, but Pearson would blossom into one of the greatest wide receivers ever to play the game.

Drew got his nickname because of his many game-winning catches and his ability to make a clutch play whenever his team needed one. Legendary Cowboys head coach, Tom Landry, had this to say after the famous “Hail Mary” game,

“It was amazing, unbelievable. I can’t believe the ball stuck on Drew’s hip like that. It was a thousand-to-one shot, but I tell you, I’ll take it. The game was out of my hands.”

Drew Pearson helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowl appearances and a victory in Super Bowl XII in 1978. He was named All-Pro 3 times and made Pro Bowl appearances in 1974, 1976 and 1977. He led the NFC in pass receptions in 1976 with 58.

Pearson was also a great leader and served as a captain for the Cowboys for four years.

He ended his marvelous career with 489 receptions and 7,822 receiving yards, and 50 touchdowns, and was recently named to the NFL’s 1970′s All-Decade Team by Sports Illustrated.

Since his retirement in 1983, Drew has gone on to become a sports broadcaster for CBS and HBO; and he also hosted the Dallas Cowboys post-game show.

He will always be remembered as one of the greatest receivers ever to wear the Dallas Cowboys uniform, but unfortunately his story is not one with a happy ending.

Despite all of Pearson’s amazing accomplishments and a wonderful and storied career as a Dallas Cowboy, he has yet to be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor because of a dispute with team owner Jerry Jones.

It was Drew Pearson who originally gave fame and notoriety to uniform number 88. Later on, a kid by the name of Michael Irvin chose that number to honor him and added even more magic and mystique to the number 88. Irvin’s name is deservedly enshrined in the Ring of Honor, while Drew Pearson simply watches and waits.

Regardless of what Jones’ off the field differences are with Pearson, his refusal to acknowledge and honor one of the greatest players ever to wear the Cowboys uniform is both petty and sad.

Luckily, die-hard Cowboys fans across the country, already regard Mr. Clutch as one of the all time Dallas Cowboys, it’s too bad the Dallas Cowboys don’t see it that way.

It’s been five seasons since a player was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor. Actually, three players were inducted back in 2005, when Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were all inducted on the same day. Five years is too long to go without a player being inducted. Especially with a team like the Cowboys that is so deep with great players.

It’s time for the Cowboys to start honoring more players in the new stadium and give them their place in history. I can probably name about 15 to 20 players who deserve to be honored, but there are two that always come to mind first. They were great players for the Cowboys through most of the 1970s and early 1980s. They helped make the Cowboys what they are today. They put their mark on the organization as well as the NFL. They dominated their positions around the same time in their careers and received many of the same honors. Those players are Harvey Martin and Drew Pearson.

Harvey Martin, 1973-1983

Harvey Martin was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 1973 draft. In his ten seasons with the Cowboys he was elected to four Pro Bowls (1976, ’77, ’78 and ’79), he was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 and was also on the NFL 1970s All-Decade team. In 1977, after helping the Cowboys win their second Super Bowl Championship, Harvey Martin was selected as co-MVP of Super Bowl XII along with Randy White as they dominated the Denver Broncos. Harvey Martin, aka “Too Mean” became one of the most feared defensive linemen in the NFL.

Martin became part of the Cowboys Doomsday Defense II, along with Randy White and Ed (Too Tall) Jones. At the beginning of his career he was able to learn from the great Bob Lilly. Martin led the Cowboys in sacks seven times in his career. Although the NFL did not officially start recording sacks until 1982, it was Harvey Martin who collected 23 sacks during the 1977 season in only 14 games. Those 23 sacks would be the all-time record today over Michael Strahan who had 22 ½ in 2001. Martin had 14 sacks in 1978 as he once again helped the Cowboys to the Super Bowl where they lost to the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII. Martin still holds the record for most career sacks for the Cowboys with 114.

Harvey Martin had his share of problems off the field after his retirement in 1983. Those problems plagued him until the mid 1990s when he was able to turn his life around. Martin gave anti-drug speeches to school children and recovering addicts in hopes that they would listen and not make the same mistakes he made.

Harvey Martin’s life was cut short on December 24, 2001 when he died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 51. By his bedside that day was teammate and good friend Drew Pearson. Martin will most likely never make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is a disgrace in my opinion. Martin belongs in the Cowboys Ring of Honor because of the kind of player he was and what he did for the Cowboys. His name needs to be displayed with the other Cowboys greats and honored for his ten seasons with the Cowboys

Drew Pearson, 1973-1983

Drew Pearson was signed as a Free Agent by the Cowboys in 1973 and went on to become one of the greatest wide receivers in Dallas Cowboys history. Pearson became known as “Mr. Clutch” in his career for always making the big reception for the Cowboys. In 1974 he caught the game winning touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Clint Longley on Thanksgiving against the Redskins. In the 1975 playoffs he caught the game winning “Hail Mary” touchdown pass from Roger Staubach against the Vikings. In the 1980 playoffs he caught the game winning touchdown pass from Danny White against the Falcons. Pearson finished his career with 489 receptions for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was elected three Pro Bowls (1974, ’76 and ’77). Pearson was also selected to the NFL 1970s All-Decade team. Drew Pearson was a member of three Cowboys Super Bowl teams in 1975, 1977 and 1978.

Like Harvey Martin, Pearson will most likely never make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pearson’s numbers compare and even go beyond some of his fellow NFL receivers at the time like Lynn Swann (336 receptions for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns) and John Stallworth (537 receptions for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns). Both Swann and Stallworth have been elected into the Hall of Fame.

Drew Pearson’s career came to an end after the 1983 season when the car he was driving crashed into a truck killing his younger brother. Pearson suffered a lacerated kidney in the accident and had to retire from the NFL. To this day Pearson does not remember anything about the accident.

Harvey Martin and Drew Pearson both belong in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization need to do the right thing and place their names in Cowboys stadium for all to see. Although Harvey Martin is no longer with us, I’m sure it will make his family, friends and former teammates proud to see him finally make it. Drew Pearson needs to be honored the same as fellow receivers Bob Hayes and Michael Irvin.

Other Cowboys greats in the Ring of Honor…

Bob Lilly, 1975

Don Meredith, 1976

Don Perkins, 1976

Chuck Howley, 1977

Mel Renfro, 1981

Roger Staubach, 1983

Lee Roy Jordan, 1989

Tom Landry, 1993

Tony Dorsett, 1994

Randy White, 1994

Bob Hayes, 2001

Tex Schramm, 2003

Cliff Harris, 2004

Rayfield Wright, 2004

Troy Aikman, 2005

Emmitt Smith, 2005

Michael Irvin, 2005

Harvey Martin, ??

Drew Pearson, ??

Some pictures provided by the following books, “The Super Bowl” and “Dallas Cowboys, Our Story”

As we get closer to July 28th and the opening of training camp there isn’t much news floating around. But I did find a few things that I wanted to share.

First thing is this whole Greg Ellis-DeMarcus Ware thing going on. Ellis claims that Ware would hide on the sidelines during games so that Ellis could get more playing time.

Ellis…

“It’s a disgrace when DeMarcus Ware comes off the field just so I can get in the game and when the coaches tell him to come on the field, he tries to hide so I can play,” Ellis said on Irvin’s show. “And you’re telling me we’re trying to win the Super Bowl?”

When asked about Ellis’ claim Ware was too nice to shoot down what he said, but that was not the case with Bradie James.

James…

“Never seen anything like that,” James said with a bemused chuckle. “I don’t know where that came from. Greg … (sighs) … we’ve just gotta move on.

“We’re talking about probably the best defensive player in the league. There’s no way he can hide. Even the birds, they know where No. 94 is, so there’s no hide-and-go-seek.”

Here is some proof that backs up what Bradie James is saying as reported on DallasNews.com who got their information from ProFootballFocus.com. This is a game by game list of Ware’s game participation.

If you add it up that is 1,021 out of 1,046 plays that DeMarcus Ware was on the field or 97.6%. Only 25 plays that Ware was not on the field and 10 of those because he hurt his knee. Don’t get me wrong, I like Ellis as a player, but over the last few off-seasons we all know that he always had something to say. He was always complaining about his playing time. Yes, it’s time to move on. I wish Anthony Spencer all the luck because if he is the kind of player that the coaches think he is then combined with Ware on the other side it should be great to watch.

Pearson and the Ring of Honor

There has been a lot of talk about who should be the next player inducted into the Dallas Ring of Honor. My personal choices would be either Drew Pearson or Harvey Martin. I was very disappointed when Jerry Jones said no one would be going into the Ring this season. Drew Pearson said he isn’t holding his breath about getting into the Ring anytime soon.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Pearson said on ESPN 103.3. “My records speak to itself. I can’t add to those numbers. I can’t go out there and catch any more passes. It’s there. If it’s good enough, then I’ll be up there. If it’s not, then I won’t, and apparently at this point, it’s not.”

Drew Pearson said he has never discussed the Ring of Honor with Jerry Jones who is the only one who makes the decisions on who gets inducted.Pearson said he presented a business idea to Jones a few years ago, but never got a call back from Jones. Pearson also said they see each other at functions and they only make small talk.

“He speaks to me,” Pearson said, “but you know, with all due respect, he calls me Preston more than he calls me Drew.”

I had to laugh after reading that. Come on now! This is Drew Pearson, aka Mr. Clutch. How can he not be in the Ring of Honor? How can he not be in the Hall of Fame? Pearson caught 489 passes as a Cowboy for 7,822 yards and 48 TDs. Oh, by the way Pearson also threw touchdown passes in 1974, 1976 and 1981. Give Drew Pearson what he deserves.

I have tried to debate this for awhile now with people that I know, but can’t seem to get anyone to bite back. Maybe now is the time. Who should Jerry Jones put in the Ring of Honor in the new stadium? It has been a long time since the Triplets where inducted into it. I have my opinions, which I don’t think a lot of people will agree on, but it is my opinion. I will throw out a few names for you and see if you agree.

My first choice is Danny White. Yes, I know he never took the team to the Super Bowl but he had some really big shoes to fill with the retiring Roger Staubach. He did take them to some Championship games but never really over the hump. He also played another role in punting for the Cowboys. I think he has been given a bad rap for not getting the boys the Super Bowl. But most people think, Danny will always but the butt of jokes for not being the QB that Roger was.

My second choice is Drew Pearson, the original 88. I kind of forgot about him but the Top Ten Cowboys List on NFL Network reminded me that he isn’t in the Ring of Honor. Who was Roger’s go-to guy? Drew. Who made the most famous Hail Mary catch? Drew. When Roger needed some yardage good ole 88 was there. Shoot, I think he should be in the Hall of Fame. What a great talent he was.

Who would you choose for the Ring of Honor with the current roster? Tony Romo, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware? Who knows. Tony won’t if he doesn’t win it all, just like Danny. That’s why I hear some fans put Tony and Danny in the same sentence. Jason is a solid TE for the Boys. If he keeps playing the way he has it shouldn’t be a debate about that one. And then there is DeMarcus ‘Sack Master’ Ware. Out of the three he should be the next great who is put up around the ring of the stadium.

You could agree or disagree with some of my choices or have some of your own. But in the end we have had some great teams and players throughout the years. Enjoy the memories and the future seasons to come. And last but not least – How ’bout them Cowboys!!